Through its Research and Innovation Hub, Algoma University is dedicated to fostering collaborations with local community and industry partners to facilitate experiential learning opportunities for university students.

In particular, a partnership between the university and R&B Cormier Enterprises Inc., a natural resource contracting and consulting firm, provides experiential learning opportunities for geography undergraduate students. Located in Sault Ste. Marie, students receive hands-on experience through a summer co-op program at R&B Cormier—many of whom are hired by the company after graduation.

The mutual partnership also gives R&B Cormier access to state-of-the-art research facilities at Algoma. The company recently used the university’s Biosciences and Technology Convergence Centre to conduct high-end remote-sensing work for a forest measuring project with the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve.